The news highlights the start of a roster shakeup for the Washington men’s basketball team as a freshman guard reportedly announced plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal on Friday afternoon. This marks the first departure from the 2024-25 team, and more moves could follow.
Originally, the player committed to another school in December 2023 during his senior season of high school, but after the hiring of Washington’s new coach, he switched his commitment to the Huskies. The decision to leave Washington comes after a season where he faced difficulty breaking into the team’s crowded backcourt rotation, which limited his opportunities to make a significant impact on the court.
The player in question is Jase Butler, a 6-foot-4, 180-pound combo guard from San Anselmo, California. Despite showing promise, including a season-high eight-point performance in a loss to Nevada, he struggled to get consistent minutes, averaging just 1.9 points and 1.4 rebounds in 18 games. After missing two games in January due to a concussion, Butler was scoreless in his last eight appearances, which ultimately led to his decision to enter the transfer portal.
Butler announced his plans to transfer on social media, sharing a story from 247Sports that cited his agent as confirming his decision. The transfer portal officially opened on March 24, and Butler’s move may signal the beginning of more changes to the Huskies’ roster as they rebuild for the future.
In addition to Butler’s departure, Washington is set to lose several senior players, including Great Osobor, DJ Davis, Luis Kortright, and Tyree Ihenacho. While players like Franck Kepnang and Wilhelm Breidenbach could still return via an NCAA waiver, it’s uncertain whether other players such as Vazoumana Diallo, Mekhi Mason, and others will remain with the team. The Huskies are also bringing in a highly-ranked recruiting class for 2025, including McDonald’s All-American Niko Bundalo and other top talents like JJ Mandaquit and Courtland Muldrew.
